Safety Reed Blankenship has become one of the better success stories the Philadelphia Eagles have had in recent years.
Blankenship entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent out of Middle Tennessee in 2022 and quickly beat out several veterans to make the Eagles’ 53-man roster that year. Over his three seasons, he turned into a reliable starter and the team’s best safety. Now entering Year 4, Blankenship will be a free agent at the end of the 2025 season, and some analysts think it would behoove Philly to lock him up before that happens.
Geoffrey A Knox of USA Today’s Eagles Wire thinks the Eagles have several reasons to “get a deal done sooner rather than later” with the 26-year-old DB.
“He becomes an unrestricted free agent after this coming season,” Knox wrote, before referencing multiple former players who signed new deals elsewhere.
“Think back to the deals we saw Milton Williams and Josh Sweat earn in March? Remember when T.J. Edwards got out of the door? Waiting to extend Reed Blankenship won’t be as costly as the deal Jalen Carter is certain to earn, but if we haven’t learned anything else, it’s this. If he balls out during a contract season and enters free agency, Philadelphia may learn that they aren’t willing to pay the cost they will need to keep him.”
A Look Back at Blankenship’s 3 Seasons in Philly
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His rookie season, Blankenship played in 10 games with four starts, and he finished with 34 total tackles, two deflections, and a notable interception off Aaron Rodgers—a first-ever pick by a rookie undrafted defender.
In 2023, Blankenship established himself as the full-time starter at free safety, starting 15 games. He amassed a career-high 113 total tackles, along with 11 pass deflections and three interceptions.
In 2024, under DC Vic Fangio, Blankenship continued to shine. He finished with 78 total tackles, six pass breakups and a career-high four picks. His instincts for the game are excellent, and his ball-hawking tendencies have been a huge asset for Philly’s defense.
He has also played well when it matters most. In the 2025 postseason, he delivered standout numbers: 27 tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. He started in Super Bowl 59, and was a big part of the Eagles’ 40–22 championship win.
Why the Philadelphia Eagles SHould Sign Reed Blankenship to a Contract Extension, Stat
Blankenship has accumulated eight interceptions and 19 pass breakups over three seasons and 34 starts. In an era where pass defense is at a premium, his ball skills have undeniable value — he’s a savvy, impactful DB whose consistency and ball production set him apart.
He has regularly outperformed expectations as an UDFA, and he has become a leader in a secondary rife with young talent. Over his three seasons, he has earned respect from teammates, coaches and fans alike.
His leadership and chemistry within the secondary should also factor into the decision to extend him for GM Howie Roseman. Blankenship is part of the “Exciting Whites” duo with Cooper DeJean, and with young safeties like Sydney Brown and Andrew Mukuba in the fray, Blankenship’s mentorship will be critical moving forward.
While Blankenship isn’t set to make top-tier money — he won’t be getting near the $21.3 million annually Kerby Joseph, the league’s highest-paid safety makes — but he could command somewhere around $15 or $16 million per year.
Considering his importance to the defense and organization, it might be good for Roseman to extend Blankenship before the 2025 season concludes.
